InterView
John Ervin III
There are people who call for action and there are people who take action. Modesto has a lot of opportunity and there are a lot of challenges. There are groups of people that are overlooked and need champions. We have cultures that need celebration and there are needs for path to success in many different ways, in culture, in education and employment. John has taken on key roles to make a difference. John is currently the Founder/Mentor of Project Uplift Mentor Program that is encouraging and engaging local youth for success, leadership and higher education. Serving on the Modesto City Schools board, John has been a champion for educational advancement of all people.
Seeing a need in the performing arts, John was instrumental in the creation of the Sankofa Theatre Company, now a resident company at the Gallo Center and is staging the 2026 presentation of Purlie Victorious. John is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the National Guard and lives in Modesto with his wife and has 4 grown children and two grand children. John has served on the Board of Advisors for the Gallo Center and has been President of the King Kennedy Memorial Center Board of Directors and many other local organizations. Let’s get to know John.
ModestoView: When you were growing up, who were your mentors and inspirations? John Ervin: Unfortunately, growing up I did not have any mentors. The only inspirational people in my life was my single mother. She was my rock. The influences in my neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles were negative.
MV: You believe education is key to success, how has that guided your choices?
JE: I strongly believe that education is the key to success, due to the successes I have achieved in my life, I credit education, although my early educational beginnings were very challenging to say the least.
MV: Where did you grow up and how did you find Modesto?
JE: I grew up in Los Angeles, Ca. I found Modesto in 1998
MV: What inspired you to get involved in service to our community.
JE: As I reflected on my own childhood and experiences I endured, I wanted to dedicate my service in our community to improving graduation rates for African American and other marginalized students. I wanted be a part of reducing drop-out rates and improving academic performance and attainment amongst African American and other marginalized students.
MV: Describe your greatest accomplishment.
JE: My greatest accomplishment is being a father…and now a grandfather.
MV: What local obstacles have you worked the hardest to change in our community? JE: Helping youth avoid negative life trajectories so they can aspire to be positive contributors to our community, our state and possibly the world. And also employment barriers experienced by youth of color and other marginalized youth to youth
MV: Our community excels when we break down barriers; what has been a good example of this?
JE: Our muli-cultural community really comes together when faced with challenges. I feel that we can overcome any challenges in our community when we put our collective minds and actions together. This is why I have stayed in Modesto for all these years.
MV: What do you think the top 3 issues that face Modesto youth right now?
JE: 1. Employment 2. A truly and seriously respected youth voice. 3. Safe, motivating and fun activities that bring all youth together.
MV: Why is serving on the School Board so important? Serving on the school board is critically important because education is the foundation because school boards shape the educational quality, resource allocation, discipline policies and long-term outcomes for students and families. I feel my service on the school board brings lived experiences along with practical work experience in education and cultural insight that are often underrepresented in decision making spaces.
MV: What gives you the greatest joy?
JE: Being a father, grandfather and mentor. I am truly at a space of life’s true enjoyment when I am engaged in each of these.
MV: How can people best get involved to make a difference?
JE: I feel very strongly that biggest and most impactful way to make a difference is to be a properly trained mentor.
MV: Our signature question, Beatles or Stones?
JE: Beatles
As both a Beatle fan and a grandparent, John is on point. As you read in the pages of ModestoView, there are many ways to get involved, make a difference, make a positive and creative impact and be a mentor so that the next generation is well educated and ready for the challenges ahead.
You can reach John and connect at: john@4allkids@gmail.com
